R'Dogs Strike First, Get Blown Out by Drive, 10-2

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Charleston RiverDogs held an early two-run lead, but the Greenville Drive scored 10 unanswered runs en route to the 10-2 Sunday evening at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park. The loss snapped a modest two-game winning streak for Charleston and a seven-game losing streak for the Drive.

The RiverDogs (11-19 second half, 45-55 overall) struck first with two runs in the bottom of the second and sent the 4,211 fans in attendance into a frenzy. Austin Aune and Isaias Tejeda hit back-to-back doubles to start the frame. Tejeda reached third on a passed ball and scored on Alexander Palma's RBI single for the final RiverDogs' run.

Greenville (13-17, 51-49) cut Charleston's lead in half on Yoan Moncada's sacrifice fly. Nick Longhi hit a solo home run with one out in the fourth to tie the score 2-2.

With runners on first and second with one out in the fifth, Longhi gave Greenville the lead with an RBI single to right. Mike Meyers followed with an RBI single to right as well to increase the Drive's lead to 4-2.

Moncada hit his second sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth to add one more run to Greenville's lead. The Drive plated four more in the top of the eighth on a one-out grand slam by Rafael Devers, his second of the season. Danny Mars led off the ninth with a triple and Joseph Monge hit a ground ball into center field to make it 10-2.

The RiverDogs put runners on first and third with nobody out in the ninth, but Carlos Pinales retired the next three batters to close out the game. Kuehl McEachern (5-2) earned the win in relief for the Drive, while Charleston's starter Rony Bautista (3-4) took the loss.

Slade Heathcott went 0-for-3 again in his second rehab start with the RiverDogs. Heathcott grounded out in the first and third, and he flied out in the fifth. Devyn Bolasky replaced Heathcott defensively in the top of the sixth.

BOX SCORE: http://atmilb.com/1MQQypy

GAME HIGHLIGHTS: https://youtu.be/rvtELlK6DHg

BALLPARK FUN: Plenty of kids attended Sunday's game for Kid's Club Sunday at The Joe. Sunday was also National Dance Day. The RiverDogs celebrated by having a Mascot Dance Party with a monkey, shark, and hot dog mascot. There was also a fun dance with kids from the Special Olympics. The Play it Again Sport Shoe Shuffle entertained participants as fans raced to find their shoes on the field. Despite the large crowd in attendance, there weren't any notable catches on foul balls in the stands. After the game, fans stuck around late to receive autographs from the whole RiverDogs team.

COMING UP: The RiverDogs continue their four-game series against Greenville Monday at 7:05 p.m. Charleston will send RHP Jordan Foley (3-4, 3.33 ERA) to the mound against RHP Jeffry Fernandez (3-8, 6.07 ERA) for the Drive. You can watch the game live on MiLB.tv or listen to all the action on "The Big Talker" 1250 WTMA, WTMA.com, and RiverDogs.com.

Celebrate baseball's past in the Lowcountry as the RiverDogs pay tribute to the Charleston Rainbows - the team's nickname prior to RiverDogs - for the second year in a row. The team will be wearing Rainbows throwback uniforms, courtesy of Dudley's on Ann and Charleston Pride, which will be auctioned off through a silent auction during the game. Every Monday at The Joe is Coors Monday Night Baseball, presented by Kickin' 92.5. Visit the Ashley View Pub for $1 hot dogs and $1 draft beers as the RiverDogs spoof Monday Night Football. Dogs With a Cause will feature the Arthritis Foundation and Jingle Run, a 5K race that benefits arthritis research.

-RIVERDOGS-